Shiva Puja and Abhishek

In brief

Shiva is worshipped most often as the Shivalinga (= a smooth, rounded stone that stands for Shiva, without face or limbs), and also in pictures. The central act is abhishek (= pouring water and other pure liquids over the linga as a bath of respect), followed by bilva leaves, mantra and aarti. The home form is short, calm and simple. Customs differ between Shaiva traditions and regions, so ask your priest about anything beyond these basics, including the longer Rudrabhishek with Vedic recitation.

When to do it

• Monday (Somvar) is Shiva's weekday for many families. Some give extra attention to the Mondays of the month of Shravana.
• Pradosh, the twilight after sunset on Trayodashi (the 13th tithi) of both fortnights. See the Pradosh Vrat page.
• Masik Shivaratri on the Krishna Chaturdashi each month, and Maha Shivaratri once a year.

Evening is a favoured time for Shiva, but a Monday morning puja is equally valid.

What you need

• A Shivalinga, or a picture of Shiva (with a picture the abhishek is done in the mind)
• A tray or deep plate with a rim, or a brass abhishek vessel with a spout, and a bowl to catch the liquids
• Clean water, and if you wish milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar
• Bilva leaves (= bel, the three-leaflet leaves dear to Shiva), white flowers, whole rice
• Sandalwood paste or bhasma (= sacred ash)
• A lamp, incense, camphor, fruit and a bell

Puja vidhi (steps)

1. Bathe and put on clean, light-coloured clothes. Set the linga on its tray so the liquids run into the bowl.
2. Sip water three times for purification (see the daily puja page), then state your sankalpa (= spoken intention) in your own words while holding a little water, rice and a flower.
3. Remember Ganesha first with "ॐ गं गणपतये नमः" (om gam ganapataye namah), then say "ॐ नमः शिवाय" (om namah shivaya) three times.
4. Light the lamp and incense and ring the bell.
5. Begin the abhishek with water. Pour a thin, steady stream from a little above the linga while repeating om namah shivaya.
6. If you wish, continue with milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar water, one after another, with a little water between. The order differs between families, and plain water alone is a complete abhishek.
7. Finish with a rinse of clean water, wipe the linga dry, and apply sandalwood paste or bhasma.
8. Lay bilva leaves on the linga one at a time, each with its three leaflets joined on the stem. Three is a common minimum; some families offer nine or 108.
9. Offer white flowers, whole rice and fruit.
10. Chant om namah shivaya 108 times (21 is also common), or the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra if your family does.
11. Do aarti with a lamp or camphor flame and a bell.
12. Bow, ask forgiveness for any mistakes, and share the prasad. Collect the abhishek water from the bowl and pour it on plants.

Mantras and aarti

The main mantra is Om Namah Shivaya, and its page gives the full text and meaning. The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra has its own page, and the 108 names of Shiva are on the namavali page. The aarti sung at the close is Om Jai Shiv Omkara, with its text on the Shiva aarti page. Families also read the Lingashtakam or the Rudrashtakam. Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation.

Some families keep a light fast on Monday, with fruit or one simple meal after the evening puja. Fasting practice varies. People with health conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and the elderly should follow their doctor's advice and may keep a lighter fast.

Doing it in the USA

The linga and tray. A small stone linga is easy to keep in an apartment. Use a brass or steel plate with a rim, or a baking dish, with a bowl below to catch the liquids. A picture works for darshan, mantra and simple offerings.

Abhishek water. Pour it on houseplants, in the garden or at the foot of a tree, not down the kitchen sink or toilet. Use small quantities of milk, and use fresh liquids each time.

Bilva. Dried bel leaves are sold at Indian grocery stores and online, and fresh ones occasionally. If you cannot find any, many families offer white flowers or just water. Ask your priest what is acceptable.

Fire safety. Keep lamps on a metal plate away from curtains and paper. Use incense and camphor sparingly near smoke alarms, and open a window.

Time. Pradosh is the hour after your local sunset, which is late on summer evenings in northern states. Use the Pradosh times shown for your city, and note that the date in the USA can differ by a day from India. On a Monday workday, a short evening puja after work is fully valid.